How should I clean my fretboard?

moog1000

moog1000

New member
The fretboard of my Warwick bass is starting to look pretty gunky - had it 6 years and haven't cleaned it before!!

The fretboard is Wenge I believe and was just wondering what I should use to clean it up? Do I need to cover the frets when I do this?

Any help much appreciated!

Moog
 
Re: How should I clean my fretboard?

For finished fretboards (maple) I'll usually use something like Martin Guitar Polish and a toothbrush to de-gunk it. On rosewood or any other unfinished wood I'll use a product I believe is called "Neck Honey" that's intended for adding moisture to fretboards and use the soft toothbrush.

I've never liked lemon juice/oil for this application because I never liked the effect it had on the fretboard (the stuff is just lousy for adding moisture and keeping it there) and it seemed redundant to have to use a second product after I was done.
 
Re: How should I clean my fretboard?

Lighter fluid is good for cleaning necks, but it can dry out an unfinished fretboard over a long period of time or if it's left on the fretboard. You can just give it a dose of oil occasionally to remedy that, though. On unfinished boards, 0000 steel wool does well as an abrasive (and you can take care of the frets at the same time!!), though it can scratch inlays.
 
Re: How should I clean my fretboard?

I use OOOO steel wool and lemon oil to clean all my rosewood boards. The key is to go easy on the lemon oil - you don't need very much to do the entire board. It's also a good idea to give the oil about 30 mins to soak in before you put the strings back on and play.
 
Re: How should I clean my fretboard?

I use Lighter fluid on everthing but a nitrocellouse laquered fretboard! After cleaning with it, buff everything with 0000 steel wool, then clean it with lighter fluid again. After that use a good fretboard oil like this http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishi...lvents/ColorTone_Fretboard_Finishing_Oil.html

I am a luthier/tech for a living and this is all that I will use. I am not much on the whole lemon oil thing, I like to use the product made to do the task. Famous guitar tech Dan Elrewine uses the same methods and products also.
 
Re: How should I clean my fretboard?

theodie said:
I use Lighter fluid on everthing but a nitrocellouse laquered fretboard! After cleaning with it, buff everything with 0000 steel wool, then clean it with lighter fluid again. After that use a good fretboard oil like this http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishi...lvents/ColorTone_Fretboard_Finishing_Oil.html

I am a luthier/tech for a living and this is all that I will use. I am not much on the whole lemon oil thing, I like to use the product made to do the task. Famous guitar tech Dan Elrewine uses the same methods and products also.
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+1, although I still use lemon oil or bore oil and have never had problems or complaints.... it would interest me to read the ingredients on the StewMac oil, though... something in my head tells me it´s essentially a 50/50 lemon oil /bore oil mix ;)
 
Re: How should I clean my fretboard?

Zerberus said:
+1, although I still use lemon oil or bore oil and have never had problems or complaints.... it would interest me to read the ingredients on the StewMac oil, though... something in my head tells me it´s essentially a 50/50 lemon oil /bore oil mix ;)
Click to expand...

I just looked on the bottle and it dosent have the ingredients. The only thing it says is, Petroleum distillates. Stew mac usually leaves their ingredients kind of vauge if they even list them at all. The stuff I like about this is it dries hard and stays on there for a long time!
 
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